Changes

The '''Parable of the Weeds''' (also called '''Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds''' or '''Chaff''' or '''Tares''') is a [[parable]] of [[Jesus]] which occurs only one time, in the [[Gospel of Matthew]].  It is recorded in two parts: {{bibleverse||Matthew|13:24-30|9}} tells of the parable while {{bibleverse||Matthew|13:36-40|9}} provides the explanation.

The '''Parable of the Weeds''' (also called '''Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds''' or '''Chaff''' or '''Tares''') is a [[parable]] of [[Jesus]] which is recounted only once, in the [[Gospel of Matthew]].  It is recorded in two parts: {{bibleverse||Matthew|13:24-30|9}} tells of the parable while {{bibleverse||Matthew|13:36-40|9}} provides the explanation.

 

This parable has tantalizing similarities to the existence of [[prime number]]s amid [[composite number]]s among [[integer]]s, in [[mathematics]]. Composite numbers are akin to the later-sown weeds, and it is difficult at first glance to ascertain whether many large numbers are prime or composite.  ''See also'' [[Math and the Bible]].

Jesus tells of a sower who sowed wheat in his field; his enemy came afterwards and sowed weeds (or tares in some older translations).  <ref>The Greek word used for weeds may refer to '''darnel''', a type of ryegrass common to Israel (and actually found worldwide) which in its early stages appears to resemble wheat.</ref>The sower's reapers asked if he wanted them to remove the weeds; the sower replied no out of concern that the wheat may also be destroyed.  Instead, he instructed his reapers to allow both wheat and weeds to grow together, then at the harvest both would be harvested, and then separated (the weeds for burning, the wheat for storage).

Jesus tells of a sower who sowed wheat in his field; his enemy came afterwards and sowed weeds (or tares in some older translations).  <ref>The Greek word used for weeds may refer to '''darnel''', a type of ryegrass common to Israel (and actually found worldwide) which in its early stages appears to resemble wheat.</ref>The sower's reapers asked if he wanted them to remove the weeds; the sower replied no out of concern that the wheat may also be destroyed.  Instead, he instructed his reapers to allow both wheat and weeds to grow together, then at the harvest both would be harvested, and then separated (the weeds for burning, the wheat for storage).